The Stolen Chapters: Story Thieves, Book 2

A major plot thread deals with fictional detective Sherlock Holmes -- especially the fateful consequences of Story Thieves characters landing in a Holmes story at a critical moment. Mystery fiction, its characters, problems, and story conventions, like the Locked Room Murder Mystery, are all part of the world-building.

Dauntless, quick-thinking Bethany is a real star here, trying to escape a would-be murderer while not ditching her friends and keeping to her quest to find her father. And when she does the wrong thing with the best intentions, she owns up to it and tries to make things right. Also great is onetime ordinary kid Owen, confronting numerous perils, unexpected plot twists, and quick-changing realities. He's a good friend and a brave companion, as well as a good problem-solver. A parade of "fictional" characters, from EarthGirl to kid bandit Moira Gonzalez, are there to help out when other "fictional" characters are villainous.

In a scene where the kids are all cartoon characters, Bethany says, "Turn us back already, would you? The last thing I want to do is figure out how to go to the bathroom like this." A few references to butts and wondering aloud why fictional characters are never seen going to the bathroom.